tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1043262277939128882018-02-22T00:00:24.547-05:00Wandering Cat StudioUpdates from the studio of Valerie JohnsonWanderingcatstudiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11459444703722115118noreply@blogger.comBlogger2484125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-104326227793912888.post-60243770841040031232018-02-22T00:00:00.000-05:002018-02-22T00:00:24.878-05:00February dyesAs I mentioned yesterday, February is fading fast, so it was time to get down in the studio and dye up this month's batch of yarn. I went in with a plan, a few colourways I've been thinking about for a while. Unfortunately, nothing was working out like it looked in my head. So I decided to throw my plans to the wind and just wing it!
It worked out in the end. These are all Barn Cat - Wanderingcatstudiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11459444703722115118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-104326227793912888.post-83993137905525565512018-02-21T00:00:00.000-05:002018-02-21T00:00:07.672-05:00Half aboard at Aldershot
The first Aldershot sock is done!
I really couldn't be more pleased with it. I love everything - the cables, the colour... the yarn...
I've mentioned before that I'm using our Jungle Cat. It's a merino/bamboo blend and it's so lovely to work with. It's soft and squooshy and the bamboo gives it just a touch of silkiness. It's so nice to knit with, and even nicer to wear.
I've just cast on forWanderingcatstudiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11459444703722115118noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-104326227793912888.post-4562641838599094832018-02-20T00:00:00.000-05:002018-02-20T00:00:04.711-05:00StarburstIt's time to show you that pretty purple quilt I mentioned the other day.
Way back in autumn of last year, I got this lovely collection of 10 inch squares...
...and I picked up a chunk of dark grey floral for contrast. Mom very kindly cut it into 10 inch squares for me. The plan was to turn it into a Starburst Quilt.
While the quilt is easy to assemble, it does take a little work to get goingWanderingcatstudiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11459444703722115118noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-104326227793912888.post-56265926348986968592018-02-19T00:00:00.000-05:002018-02-19T13:06:02.112-05:00Among the wildflowersThank you for all your ideas and advice for Carbeth. I think I'm going to take a page from Araignee's book and try to put two rows on it every night. That should help it progress without killing my hands.
For the rest of the time, I'm finally getting back to some WIPs.
It's been a long time since I've played with this one. It's a design of my own, and the last time you saw it, it only had partWanderingcatstudiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11459444703722115118noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-104326227793912888.post-81205662704780508272018-02-18T00:00:00.000-05:002018-02-18T00:00:26.166-05:00No where to goAs I've mentioned before, in order to keep my quilting projects from getting out of hand, I've got five boxes that hold projects in progress.
Currrently, those boxes contain
Deep Sea Stars quilt
Happy Little Hooter wall hanging
Eternal Autumn quilt
Tuxie Love quilt
A pretty purple project I haven't shown you yet
But I suddenly found myself in a bit of a holding pattern. Deep Sea Stars is Wanderingcatstudiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11459444703722115118noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-104326227793912888.post-73075290998203646302018-02-17T00:00:00.000-05:002018-02-17T00:00:00.217-05:00FO: BlasterIt took me much longer than planned, but I finally got buttons for Blaster.
I'm sorry there's no modeled shots. I haven't been able to make a date with my favourite photographer.
For some reason, my neckline ended up a fair bit more open than the pattern appears to be, but I don't mind. It will still work well with my dresses.
For buttons I went with a simple, black wooden button, which Wanderingcatstudiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11459444703722115118noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-104326227793912888.post-10728285913607136892018-02-16T00:00:00.000-05:002018-02-16T00:00:36.509-05:00Friday Felines
My lovely little sun-bunny
Wanderingcatstudiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11459444703722115118noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-104326227793912888.post-85227697875027061342018-02-15T00:00:00.002-05:002018-02-15T00:00:41.397-05:00Cranky CarbethThe Carbethigan is in a time out...
This is as far as I got before I remembered that I really don't like knitting with cotton. Especially after just coming of Blaster and her amazingly luscious merino.
I'm not ripping her out just yet. But I'm letting her simmer for a while. I'm going to go work on a UFO and hope that some time apart makes things a little more clearer for me and poor Wanderingcatstudiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11459444703722115118noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-104326227793912888.post-20325644183523868272018-02-14T00:00:00.000-05:002018-02-14T00:00:09.956-05:00Christmas is coming!I know today is Valentine's day... but my thoughts are on Christmas.
My family loves to tease me about it, but I'm one of those people who starts on Christmas early. REALLY early! Sometimes the week AFTER Christmas. I'm always thinking ahead, and if I'm out shopping in June and see something for my brother that's just perfect, and a great price, you can bet I'll buy it!
Believe me... shopping Wanderingcatstudiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11459444703722115118noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-104326227793912888.post-73951859147487204682018-02-13T00:00:00.000-05:002018-02-13T00:00:46.545-05:00Aldershot movesThe plan to devote at least five hours a week to Aldershot is paying off.
As you can see, I've made some great progress. I'm through the leg, around the heel and onto the gusset.
And I have to say, I love the way those cables are stacking up.
I've said before that, which I love the look of cables, I usually don't enjoy executing them. But I'm really loving working on this pair. I think it'sWanderingcatstudiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11459444703722115118noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-104326227793912888.post-76371944030386709772018-02-12T00:00:00.000-05:002018-02-12T00:00:29.466-05:00Happy Little HooterWell you knew I couldn't resist sewing startitis forever....
Now that we're almost halfway through February, it was time to start thinking about a birthday present for my Sister-in-Law. She likes owls, and you may recall, I've made her several owl-themed gifts over the years.
So naturally, this year, I went looking for an owl quilt block.
Pinterest came to the rescue with this cute little Wanderingcatstudiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11459444703722115118noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-104326227793912888.post-54016254094272824752018-02-11T00:00:00.001-05:002018-02-11T00:00:11.691-05:00Better days aheadCurse that blasted groundhog!!!!
It's been almost non-stop snow since Wednesday, and as you can see, Relic is not happy either.
I am so ready for spring, but it's feeling a long way off. Thankfully, I've got a few things to look forward to. Last week work informed me that I get to join the high-flying sales team on an all inclusive trip to the Mayan Riviera at the end of March - a thank-you Wanderingcatstudiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11459444703722115118noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-104326227793912888.post-69221542680004903232018-02-10T00:00:00.000-05:002018-02-10T00:00:18.860-05:00Eternal autumnWhile I have had a bad case of startitis with my knitting, the same can't be said for my sewing. Instead of starting a new project this week, I focused on one I had on the go - albeit one you haven't seen yet.
I've mentioned before that I'm changing the colours in my bedroom. They were pale green, pale pink, and cream. But a few years back (when I bought the fabric for the bear paw quilt), I Wanderingcatstudiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11459444703722115118noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-104326227793912888.post-50805815432442401282018-02-09T00:00:00.000-05:002018-02-09T00:00:05.514-05:00Friday Felines
"No one will throw my sparkle ball for me... I am the saddest cat ever..."
Well... maybe if you'd STOP putting it the water fountain, and bringing it to me all cold and soggy and dripping and gross...Wanderingcatstudiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11459444703722115118noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-104326227793912888.post-19801130319059593172018-02-08T00:00:00.000-05:002018-02-08T00:00:08.131-05:00Think SpringWith Oakville off the needles, it was time to start another pair of On the GO socks. Since I won't be commuting until at least May, I've decided that I'm going to commit at least five hours a week to working on the new designs. That should get them knit at about the same rate as if I was commuting.
For the next design, I chose Aldershot... the second to last stop on my way home, and the station Wanderingcatstudiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11459444703722115118noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-104326227793912888.post-72357978380988801282018-02-07T00:00:00.000-05:002018-02-07T00:00:24.403-05:00Crashing CarbethThe other day I said I should turn my attention to UFOs.... but I just couldn't resist starting something new...
This mess of stitches is a Carbeth... well... sort of. You may have heard that the knitters over a Mason Dixon are doing a Carbeth knitalong. I fell in love with the sweater when I first saw it, so it was just too hard to walk away from the KAL.
That said... you know me... and well.Wanderingcatstudiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11459444703722115118noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-104326227793912888.post-56793124598753355132018-02-06T00:00:00.000-05:002018-02-06T09:25:31.133-05:00FO: OakvilleJust as last week was all about the sewing, this week is all knitting!
Another productive weekend saw me finish the Oakville socks
And I'm very glad! It's a pretty simple lace pattern, but I admit, I was a little bored of it by the end. Of course, I'm like that with pretty much every pair of socks I knit.
It's a nice pattern though, one that creates a pretty wavy little eyelet. The yarn is Wanderingcatstudiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11459444703722115118noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-104326227793912888.post-87461157724960615472018-02-05T00:00:00.000-05:002018-02-05T00:00:11.362-05:00Buhbye BlasterI am happy to say....
Blaster is done! I powered through that last sleeve and by the weekend, it was on the blocking board. I'm not doing an FO post yet, though because she still needs buttons. I'm hoping to get to my favourite button store this week, but we'll have to see.
Still I'm lad to have it done. Now I should get back to one of my other UFOs... but....Wanderingcatstudiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11459444703722115118noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-104326227793912888.post-46241976979552919142018-02-04T00:00:00.000-05:002018-02-04T00:00:10.251-05:00Reaching for the starsThis past week was pretty busy work-wise. I wasn't able to carve out much time for sewing, but I did manage to find a few hours here and there. Instead of starting a new project, I decided to get closer to finishing on a WIP.
The Deep Sea Stars quilt to be exact.
Back before Christmas, I threw a few yards of batiks on an order from Missouri Star quilts, hoping it would be enough to finish it Wanderingcatstudiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11459444703722115118noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-104326227793912888.post-11741587169403209812018-02-03T00:00:00.000-05:002018-02-03T10:12:29.771-05:00Don't get excited...Last week it was pretty mild. It was perfect for taking quilt pictures, and while I was out there, I decided to take a little boo around the gardens.
All they need is a few days above freezing and they start greening up. Especially these mini red Columbine. They are close to the house and get sun all day long, so they always start early.
For some reason the Speedwell does too. Maybe it's Wanderingcatstudiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11459444703722115118noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-104326227793912888.post-10175168124309717422018-02-02T00:00:00.000-05:002018-02-02T00:00:36.306-05:00Friday Felines
Despite the fact that Relic has officially been part of the household for more than three months, relations are still tense between these two.
They will occupy the same space well enough, as long as they don't make eye contact.
But Rupert is the most jealous cat I've ever met - as soon as you pet Relic, Rupert has to get right in there for his pet too, and the next thing you know, one or Wanderingcatstudiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11459444703722115118noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-104326227793912888.post-62261358900075358182018-02-01T00:00:00.000-05:002018-02-01T00:00:26.200-05:00FO: Spring ChickTo round out my productive weekend, I also finished the Spring Chick quilt.
I did not go fancy with the quilting at all. Just a simple line of stitches outside each block and through the sashing corners. It was done in no time!
It got baby Tweety flannel for backing (and it is the softest flannel I have ever felt!!!) The backing has all the colours from the front, which makes me happy, even Wanderingcatstudiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11459444703722115118noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-104326227793912888.post-4522747328828704092018-01-31T00:00:00.000-05:002018-01-31T00:00:17.936-05:00FO: Cat matYesterday was your lot for knitting this week. Now back to the quilting...
Saturday saw me finish up Relic's cat mat.
And I couldn't be more pleased with it. It's nothing crazy - just 3 inch squares and HSTs assembled to form a paw print. I bought the fabric specially for it, but I think it would be fun with scraps too.
I used the cheaper polyester batting and stitched in the ditch along eachWanderingcatstudiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11459444703722115118noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-104326227793912888.post-41845655446530121832018-01-30T00:00:00.000-05:002018-01-30T09:01:30.932-05:00Buttons for BlasterI did not finish Blaster's sleeve on the weekend. But I am close. So I decided to take a dive in the button stash to see what I had.
Sadly it wasn't much. Oh, don't get me wrong, I have a WONDERFUL button stash. Just nothing that would work for Blaster.
The best I could come up with were these carved wooden ones. And they are nice - I'd definitely consider using them. Except I need eight Wanderingcatstudiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11459444703722115118noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-104326227793912888.post-89775874106702954972018-01-29T00:00:00.001-05:002018-01-29T00:00:22.389-05:00FO: Chocolate Covered PinwheelsI have to warn you - this week is going to be a little light on knitting. I had a very productive weekend - just not with the yarn.
It started on Friday. Mom stopped by after work for a late lunch and brought the near finished Chocolate Covered Pinwheels quilt. As you may remember, I'd sent it off with her for quilting. She did that, and attached all the binding for me, all I had to left to do Wanderingcatstudiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11459444703722115118noreply@blogger.com9